Education
FG advocates sign language as second national official language
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, has suggested that Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) be adopted as the second national official language outside English.
The Minister made the suggestion at the first Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria on the theme “Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in Educational and Economic Development” organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The Minister was optimistic that such move will signal a major demonstration of empathy for the large number of Nigerians with hearing impairments.
He was, however, unhappy that the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing both education and economic opportunities have persisted despite significant efforts to create equal access and opportunities for learning and employment.
He said: “The focus of the conference extends beyond access to higher education and encompasses the economic empowerment that stems from education. For persons with disabilities, the impediments to education are not only compounded by general societal stigmas but also by physical limitations and institutional challenges.
“But as we have seen in various contexts, when these barriers are removed and the right conditions are created, the potential within every individual blossoms. The briliance, creativity and resilience demonstrated by persons with disabilities enrich our educational institutions and more broadly, our economies.
“It is the collective responsibility of governments, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind. In the spirit of this year’s theme, we must highlight critical points that we must focus on to advance the potentials of PWDs in education and economic development.”
He thus challenged the participants, local and international, to come up with solutions, strategies, and policies that will guide the policy makers in creating a more inclusive and equitable future for Africa. “I look forward to receiving the communique and recommendations to complement the on-going Federal Government efforts.”
Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, in his remarks, said the conference was a significant opportunity for JAMB and various stakeholders within the education sector to gather vital insights on advancing inclusive education.
He insisted that education remains the cornerstone of self-actualisation, and it requires collective responsibility to ensure that every individual, regardless of ability, has access to higher education, stressing that JAMB is dedicated to fostering fora that facilitate discussions on innovative strategies to enhance educational opportunities for all citizens, particularly those with disabilities.
He said that Prof. Peter Okebukola-led JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) has been exemplary in providing essential support for candidates with disabilities during and after the UTME.
Prof. Oloyede said the JEOG, has in the past one year produced the strategic roadmap for inclusive access to quality higher education in Nigeria; research monograph series which includes experts’ reflections on the quality of test papers administered to the candidates for the 2024 UTME; and blind candidates’ perspectives on the support environment provided by JAMB for the 2024 UTME; among several other innovations.
He added: “It’s in this context that I reiterate that the mandate of JEOG transcends routine arrangement of facilities and current procedure of examining the candidates with special needs. It includes identification and sourcing of appropriate, and advanced assistive technology to facilitate the admission, retention, success and career development of persons with disabilities.
“For example, smart phones have been enabled to convert text to speech. This can be used with headphones to relay test items to the visually impaired. The big task left is to provide enough materials for local accent for the speech.
“Debrailling has also been introduced to facilitate written communication from the visually impaired and instantly transfer text to braille for them. Signpreters have also been invented to instantly convert speech to sign language for the hearing impaired and sign language to text and speech for the attention of the examiners or lecturers.
“Eye-gaze typing for the paralysed was recently exhibited in South Africa whereby eyelids control the keyboard. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has also opened a vast ground of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. The thrust of the efforts is to prove that no candidate is uneducable, therefore none is not immensurable through educational assessment.”
Chairman of JEOG, Prof. Peter Okebukola, in his remarks, appreciated JAMB and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Education for providing the empowerment opportunity for the people with disabilities.
He stated the every individual is endowed with great potential irrespective of health status, hence equal alopportunity should be provided for all persons to acquire education that could enhance opportunities for economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the House Leader, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, assured JAMB that the lawmakers are committed to any cause that will improve the welfare and well-being of Nigerians especially people with disabilities.
He promised that the National Assembly will not hesitate to expedite action on legislations that would consolidate efforts of JAMB to improve the educational fortune of the people with disabilities.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), is set to confer Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D. Sc) on the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at its 55th convocation.
No fewer than 16,409 students will be graduating during the week-long activities scheduled to commence with a Juma’at service at the institution’s Central Mosque on Jan. 10 and end on Jan. 17.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola during a Pre-Convocation news briefing on Wednesday, said former Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State will be the Chairman of the occasion.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the Convocation lecture with the theme: “Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation” will be delivered by Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) at J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium.
Ogunsola said the conferment of Honorary Degrees was in recognition to three personalities who had distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development.
She listed other awardees as Mr. Fola Adeola, Co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc), as well as Group Managing Director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group, Kolawole Adesina.
The Vice Chancellor said the ceremony will feature award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates, and prizes to graduating students of the Faculties of Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences.
“Conferment of degrees will be for graduands from the College of Medicine in the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Dental Sciences.
Others were Faculties of Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).
He said that the conferment of degrees would come up on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.
“Out of the 16,409, 9,684 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, 6,659 will be awarded postgraduate degrees while 66 will graduate from the UNILAG business School,” she said.
She gave the breakdown of the award results as, 561 first class degrees and distinctions; 3,916 second class upper degrees (2.1) and 763 second class lower (2.2) degrees.
The Vice Chancellor also said results also showed that 1,143 third class (3rd class) degrees, 78 degrees as well as 223 unclassified degrees would be conferred.
Ogunsola said that two students of the Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Mr. Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale have set another record.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that Olamide Emida, the best graduating student from humanities, Faculty of Management Sciences in the department of Accounting had CGPA of 4.95.
Ogunsola said that the overall best Ph.D. thesis award for 2025 will go to Adetoun Alaba Akitoye, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D. thesis (Humanities) will be awarded to Eniola Ladipo.
“Other activities in the forthcoming convocation include exhibition of Innovations and works of staff and students at the Senate Car Park, commissioning of three projects by the Pro-Chancellor, Wole Olanipekun, SAN billed for January 13.
“These are the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug recovery and Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory science and Pharmacovigilance analytical laboratory (ACEDHARS Building).
“We are also commissioning the new 120 bed space in Moremi Hall extension and finally the new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centered services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration and knowledge co-creation.
“A groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies building donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun in commemoration of his 80th Birthday, will be done same day,” she added.
According to her, the highlight of the day will be the recognition of the achievement of various individuals for their contributions to scholarship and humanity.
“We will recognise two distinguished professors who have retired but continue to contribute to scholarship and academia by awarding them as Professors emeriti of the University of Lagos.
“These are Prof. Babajide Alo of the Department of Chemistry and Prof. Olukayode Amund (Department of Microbiology).
She added that the convocation will also be used to award Prof. Victor Ariole, (Department of European Languages) a gold medal for his ongoing contributions to the University and the nation.
(NAN)
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has restated its resolve to embark on a nationwide strike, beginning from December 2, 2024.
Addressing journalists after the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, ASUP President Kpanja Shammah, said several efforts to get the government to address the contentious issues have failed.
He outlined several grievances, including alleged violations of the Federal Polytechnic Act (amended 2019), mismanagement in the appointment of key officials, and non-fulfillment of government promises.
Shammah also cited instances of irregularities in the appointment of rectors, including the reappointment of Deputy Rectors who had exceeded their statutory six-month acting tenure. He alleged that such actions violate the law, which mandates adherence to due process in appointments.
The union president also criticized the government for failing to release the 2023 Needs Assessment Intervention Funds, which are critical for infrastructure development in polytechnics.
He further expressed dissatisfaction over the non-payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, and academic allowances. The union also decried the lack of implementation of the 35%-25% salary review for state polytechnic staff.
Shammah accused government-aligned individuals of meddling in its operations, including seizing union properties, withholding union dues, and intimidating officials.
The ASUP president highlighted several cases where rectors were appointed without following the stipulated processes, including the controversial appointments in Federal Polytechnics in Damaturu, Nasarawa, and other institutions.
“We have done all within our powers to ensure that the issues were addressed but nothing has been done we have no other option than to shutdown the sector,” he said.
The union appealed for public understanding, noting that their demands are aimed at restoring stability and ensuring a conducive learning environment in the polytechnic sector.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’d Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
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